Wow, this has been a stretch for the past week and it continues this week!  After last Sunday’s Chicago Marathon I came back to several meetings, family in town, and a birthday party for Anna, which consisted of hiking in Devil’s Den with four 8&9 year old girls — whew!  To then prep for Leviticus 3 on Saturday while trying to NOT watch the Razorbacks (refs, missed passes, penalties…arghh – hey, I said I TRIED not to watch)!

I’m not complaining, it’s just a crazy stretch right now.  Jan’s been under the weather and we’re 3 weeks away from meeting Lumpy #4.  I’m still doing some editing on my dissertation, but should still be on schedule for a December graduation.  Certainly pray for us.

However, I’m tempted to blow off so much of this overwhelmed feeling because there are people out there seriously hurting.  I’m thinking of folks like Sid Robinson who has had to undergo a bone marrow transplant this past weekend; Linda Lilly who continues to battle cancer; the Burns family in the loss of a grandfather; and many others.  God is present, NOT silent, and has made every provision for life and godliness in Christ Jesus (2 Peter 1:3; 2 Cor.12:9).

Let us help each other remember that God is always good (by His standards) and chooses to be glorified from every single angle, whether blessing or suffering, rested or weary, relaxed or busy.  Hebrews 10:24-25 comes to mind here…“24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

When things get tough, it’s easy to recluse.  But we need to be a community where we run to be with each other at the times we need to be stirred up to love and good deeds.  Certainly there are times when we need some time away to focus on our families and prayer.  I’ve just been so encouraged to see so much of the body caring for each other.  We’re going to continue to figure out how to be very simple as a church, yet fully engaged in each other’s lives.  It seems we’re getting closer all the time.  I see it when people hang out after The Gathering or after Sunday worship just to catch up, visit and even counsel one another.  It is good.

Well, off to another crazy week.  Several meetings lined up already — a bunch in the evenings.  Opportunities to serve my family and the UBC family are many.  Prayerfully we’ll complete the proposal for the 2010 budget.  Hopefully I can send my next final copy of my doctoral paper…finally.  Perhaps I’ll figure out a way to preach on a chapter and a half’s worth of “sin offerings.”  I just need to stay focused on each moment, being totally there (mentally, spiritually) in each situation.  There’s a bit of Ecclesiastes 3 at this point in my life…work is good and from God.

Oh yeah, I think I’ll go ahead and start training for the next marathon…why not.

Have a blessed week!